The Ex

The Ex Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I awoke to the annoying sound of my alarm going off. I was always a morning person, but 4 am was just too early. I was definitely regretting this trip. My friends had twisted my arm into going on our yearly snowboarding trip in Maine. I always looked forward to it but this year was different.

After a rough break up with my fiancé I was not looking forward to spending a week in a house that held so many memories of him. It was a tradition we started around 8 years ago with all of our friends. We rented the same cabin on the lake in February. All my guy friends wouldn't have the same girlfriends every year but Sean and I were always a constant.

I'm still unsure of exactly where our relationship went wrong. Six months ago he said he needed a change and was moving. Then he was gone with no further explanation. I later found out from his Mom that he was offered a job in Tennessee with his uncle and wasn't coming back. I was left with a mortgage on our new house and a confused and broken heart.

After a few minutes of reminiscing I got out of bed to get ready. I knew Pat would be here soon and drag me out of the house. Might as well be ready for him. Another reason I was dreading this trip was it was all couples. Im so going to be the third wheel or alone all week. Great.

I quickly hopped in the shower and washed up while singing a Luke Bryan song. Enjoying the hot steam I lost track of time and didn't realize Shannon was yelling at me to hurry up in the shower. Shannon was Pats girlfriend of 5 years. We recently became close when Pat moved back up to Connecticut for a new job. I was so excited to have one of my best childhood friends back but Shannon has truly been a lifesaver in keeping me out of depression.

I quickly dried and got dressed. Looking at myself in the mirror I knew there was no time to do anything with my hair but a quick brush. I normally straightened it, but since it was so long and curly there would never be enough time.

"Bella, hurry your skinny ass up! I want to leave." yells Pat from down the hallway.

"Alright, I'm coming. My bags and board are in the hall. If your so impatient put them in the truck.".

As I ran down the stairs of my log cabin I nearly tripped over my German shepherd Roxy.

"Yes Roxy, your going to. Let's get going."

"About time you decided to show up." says Shannon.

"Yeah, yeah. If you guys didn't pick this ungodly hour I would've been fine. I just need to check on all the dogs before we leave."

After Sean and I bought our house I decided to quit my job and start up my own business. Two years later I was a very successful dog kennel owner and was able to start rescuing dogs from high kill shelters. My true passion has always been cooking and animals. Since college I worked at many successful restaurants and catering companies but my heart was never in it. Unless I was cooking for people I cared for I came to hate it. I scrounged up all the extra money I had and decided what I wanted to do.

That is how Bella's Country Resort and Rescue was started. It started small but I soon was swamped with many regular customers that always went on business or vacation. They wanted a homey place for their dogs while they were away and my kennel was the answer. After doing a quick round I was satisfied that my staff had everything under control. Roxy was on my heels the entire time. She knew she was going somewhere and wanted to stay close to make sure she wasn't left behind. No that I could ever leave her. Since I got her as a puppy she has been my baby. Loving and gentle, but very protective of her mom.

"Ok guys I'm ready. Let's get going on this long drive. I'm ready to hit some fresh powder."

"About time. I've been dying all year for this trip. I don't get enough time off to drive up to a mountain every couple of weeks like you and Shannon."

"Not my fault you had to get a high and mighty electrical engineering job that requires so much of your time"

Pat and I bantered back in forth while climbing in his Toyota Tundra. I wanted to take my own vehicle but they insisted. Probably because everyone thought I would flake out and not come up.

After stopping me coffee I decided to pass on it and catch up on some sleep. I knew the mountain was going to be exhausting, might as well be prepared for it.

I awoke suddenly to a cold, wet snowball in the face.

"What the hell guys a simple shake would've woke me up just fine"

"but that's no fun" piped in my friend Tyson.

"When did everyone get here". I said as I stepped out of the truck scanning the familiar cabin in front of us. Nothing changed since last year.

Roxy bounded out behind me and gave a quick greeting to everyone. I heard her barking at someone in the suv next to me. I was confused as to who she would be barking at. Tyson and his girlfriend Danielle were here and also Robert and his wife Evie. She knew everyone that was supposed to come.

"Hey Bella, wanna call your guard dog off of me!"

It was Pat's older brother Chris. He was my ex from when we were younger. My first love.

Hey guys! This is my first story I've ever written so be easy on me. I will always accept any constructive criticism so give me your thoughts. Thanks

~Amanda